When the dreams come true ....
While the World has slowly started opening up after the pandemics, Laos kept its borders tightly closed until May 2022, but even there at the beginning of the year some restrictions were removed and schools reopened.
During the numerous waves of pandemics, Pakse Talent School was used as a quarantine facility, therefore before it could receive students it had to be very well disinfected. A special team in white protective suits and masks was hired to do the job. After this operation, the school was ready to welcome students.
Thip, Pay, Little Girl, Phon, To and Pei* were all excited to go. They packed their luggage and departed from the island to start a new adventure. As Pakse Talent school is a boarding school they were given their rooms which became their new home.
After almost three years since I have brought her there to explore the possibility for a scholarship, Little Girl stood on the school court, now as she has dreamt for so long, as a student. Her eyes were bright and smile so wide. Her dreams have become true! and mine as well :) I would give so much to be there to see her, but the pandemic prevented me from that. Still it was heart-breaking to see the photos the children sent. I could only wish I was there …
*the real names were changed to protect children’s identities
During the numerous waves of pandemics, Pakse Talent School was used as a quarantine facility, therefore before it could receive students it had to be very well disinfected. A special team in white protective suits and masks was hired to do the job. After this operation, the school was ready to welcome students.
Thip, Pay, Little Girl, Phon, To and Pei* were all excited to go. They packed their luggage and departed from the island to start a new adventure. As Pakse Talent school is a boarding school they were given their rooms which became their new home.
After almost three years since I have brought her there to explore the possibility for a scholarship, Little Girl stood on the school court, now as she has dreamt for so long, as a student. Her eyes were bright and smile so wide. Her dreams have become true! and mine as well :) I would give so much to be there to see her, but the pandemic prevented me from that. Still it was heart-breaking to see the photos the children sent. I could only wish I was there …
*the real names were changed to protect children’s identities
Back to school
The semester passed quickly but it was not without challenges. For four of the students it was the first time they left the island and their parents behind.. They met new schoolmates, had to study hard and grew up. Pakse Talent school has a high level of education and the children need to work hard
On top, with the excuse of Covid-19, the school stopped providing meals. I had to increase the scholarship and the kids had to learn to take care of their food. Every three months they picked up their scholarship and had to mange the funds. They missed their families, their friends on the island, so often used scholarships to save for trips back home. There they could tell about new friends, life in a city, the school and all new things they have learnt.
Not all was so bright , Thip got a horrible sinusitis, Little Girl kept on struggling with her kidneys. They called me in the middle of the night asking for help. Luckily Dr Phuc opened the clinic in Pakse and his staff were always there to help my students in case of problems.
We kept in touch all these months. They gave it all and sat the final exams in June. Thip came as the third in the class! Now they have returned back home for holidays and as Laos opened the borders I hope to see them very soon!
On top, with the excuse of Covid-19, the school stopped providing meals. I had to increase the scholarship and the kids had to learn to take care of their food. Every three months they picked up their scholarship and had to mange the funds. They missed their families, their friends on the island, so often used scholarships to save for trips back home. There they could tell about new friends, life in a city, the school and all new things they have learnt.
Not all was so bright , Thip got a horrible sinusitis, Little Girl kept on struggling with her kidneys. They called me in the middle of the night asking for help. Luckily Dr Phuc opened the clinic in Pakse and his staff were always there to help my students in case of problems.
We kept in touch all these months. They gave it all and sat the final exams in June. Thip came as the third in the class! Now they have returned back home for holidays and as Laos opened the borders I hope to see them very soon!